The center-half, who has yet to make a senior appearance for the Reds, has figured regularly for the reserves this season after making the switch from Portuguese outfit Sporting CP on transfer deadline day, along with fellow defender Mamadou Sakho and winger Victor Moses on loan from Chelsea, for a fee reportedly in the region of £7mil. The 20-year old, who has been pegged as one for the future, will boost Granada’s defensive ranks as the Andalusian side looks to push on from their current position of 10th place in La Liga.
Ilori apparently had a number of suitors vying for his services with former club Sporting CP also linked with a move for their former charge. Brendan Rodgers is keen on getting the youngster, who he rates has spoken highly of in the past, some first team experience, but with the Reds deep in talent in his position, a loan looked to be the best move for the youngster.
“He is 6′ 3″, super quick, power, can jump, and he just needs to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League” said the Northern Irishman after Ilori made the move to Merseyside. “He is one for the future, but he can be a really big talent.” Although the 20-year old probably would have been better served adapting to the English game in another English team, a stint in Spain should give him some time to work on the more technical aspects of the game while he bulks up for the physical – no way that skinny boy is going to be able to deal with the likes of Christian Benteke anytime soon.
